Cover for storage bins



D. E. STAIR March 10, 1931.

COVER FOR STORAGE BINS D. E. STAIR March l0, 1931.

COVER FOR STORAGE BINS Filed OG. l2, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q JNEYTOR.

AT ORNEYS Patented Mar. 10, 1931 UNETED STATES PATENT DANIEL E. STAIB, HUDSON, NEW YORK, yASSIGrNOR TO GIFFORD-WOOD COIvi'PANY,

F HUDSON, NEW YORK, A CORJP'ORTION OF NEW YORK COVER FOR STOAGE, BINS Application led October 12, 1928. Serial N'o. 312,100.

This invention relates to covers for storage bins and the like and, among other objects,

` aims to p-rovide an improved hatchway cover installation adaptedV to protect the contents CTI of the bins from the weather and yet permit dumping of material into lthe bins.

1n the drawings Fig. 1 is a plan View showing one embodir ment of the invention applied to a series of storage bins, one of the covers being shown in open position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the same;

F ig. 3 is a similar view, drawn on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 4 is av transverse sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 8, and on the same scale.

- Referring particularly to the drawings, an illustrative cover installation is shown as being applied' to a series of storage bins 10 on top of which is mounted a trackway 11. The trackway 11 is Vherein shown as being' supported on spaced beams 12 extending longitudinally of the series of bins. A traversing hoist carrying a hoist bucket (not shown) is adapted to travel on the trackway Y 11 and is operatedso as to stop over one of the bins while the bucket is lowered therein for dumping.

must be protected from rain or snow; otherwise they will become'wet and will freeze and cannot be taken from the bins. According to the present invention, hatchways are provided in the roofs of a series of bins and weatherproof closures for the hatchways are arranged to be selectively opened to permit the bins to be illed, and after a bin is filled, the closures may move by gravity to close the hatchways.

Herein, the hatchways are located substantially at the centers of the bins and are delined by beams 12 and cross beams 13 connected between the beams 12. Inclined roof portions 14 are arranged longitudinally of the battery of bins along the outer sides of the beams 12 and extend from the beams 12 to a point beyond the rims of the bins. Additional inclined roo portions 15 are located between the beams 12 and extend from the beams 13to a point between adjacent bins.

rThe closure herein comprises a cover 1G of a. width preferably equal to the distance between the beams 12 and slightly longer than the distance between the beams 13 so that the cover overlaps the opening. The cover shown as being supported on rollers 17, carried by axles 18 connected to the underside of the platiornfi by suitable brackets 19. The covers are adapted to roll on trackways, herein formed of angle irons 2O secured to the beams 12, and in order that each cover may gravitateto close its hatchway, and open without interfering with the adjacent cover, the tracks 2O are inclined, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The lower ends oi tl e tracks are substantially flush with the bottoms of the beams 12 and their upper ends overlie the lower ends or' the trackways for the adjacent bin'cover (see F 3) and are spaced above the saine a distance greater than; the height of a cover, so that any cover may be opened without interference.

-To enable an operator on the ground to open anyselected cover, a series or' ropes or cables 21 are secured to the respective covers, each cable being preferably secured to the lower end of its cover on the underside (Fig. 3) and reeved over a sheave 22 mounted on the roof 15 at the rim of the corresponding bin,so that the cable may then pass down wardlyy between adjacent bins. rlhe lower end of the cable is located within reach of an attendant who may be on the ground or in the machine house (not shown) where the trolley bucket is controlled. t vill be clear that when the cable is pulled downwardly, the cover will roll up the incline.

In order that any cover may be held open, a ring or loop 23 is provided on each cable and is adapted to be caught under a hook or cleat 24 (see Fig. 2). Wvhen the hatchway is to be closed, the ring 23 is released from4 the hook 24 and the cover will i'oll down the trackway by gravity.

A depending ange 25 secured to the upper i end of each cover projects downwardly ini close proximity to the roof to prevent water, etoffrom entering .that end of the hatchway work. Further, such installations mayY beU when the cover is closed. The lower end of the cover plate overlies the roof andrprotects the other end when the cover is closed.

From the foregoing description it will .be

seen that the covers may be selectively opened by remote control means and will close by gravity upon being released. Moreoventhe operator of a tramjcar is relieved ot' this Y made at a low cost on old bins without necessitating extensive alterations.

Obviously, the present nvention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described.

.lliatis claimed is :A 1. ln combination with a plurality of storage loinsv having hatchways therein; an inclined trackway associated with each hatchway, the upperjends of each trackway overlapping the lower ends of the adjacent traclri way; and a movable Cover 'for each hatch- 1 lapping the lower ends of the `adj acent trackway; acover for each hatchway; rollers y way mounted to travel on the traclrway to permit the cover to close by gravity.

2. ln combination with a plurality'ot storage binsliaving hatcliways therein; van inclinedtrackway associated with each hatchway, the ,upper ends of each traclcway overc mounted on each cover and adapted to travel on the trackway to permit the cover lto close by gravity; a stationaryfpulley associated" with each cover; and a cable connected to the cover and passing overthepulleyto permit the cover to be opened from the ground.

3. In combination Vwith a plurality of storage'bins having hatchways therein, an inclined traclrway associated withl each'hatchway,rthe upperendsof each traclway overlapping tlie lower ends of the adjacent trackway; Va cover foreach 'hatcliwayg rollers mounted on each cover and adapted to travel on the traclway to permit'the cover to close by vgravity;`a stationary pulley associated with 'each cover; a cable connected to'the cover and passing over .the pulley to permit the cover to bel opened from the ground; and

means torretain the'cover in open position;v i In testimony, that claim the foregoing as my own, lhave hereto affixed my signature.

DANEL E. STAIR. 

